Louis T. Canfield, a Hope College junior from Whitehall, has been named a finalist for the national Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
The announcement was made by the Harry S. Truman
Scholarship Foundation earlier this month.
There are 191 finalists from 130 institutions,
chosen from among approximately 700 students nominated by
their college or university. Following interviews in the
coming weeks, approximately 80 scholarship recipients will
be named in late March and early April.
The Truman Scholarship is a highly competitive,
merit-based award offered to U.S. citizens and also U.S.
nationals from the Pacific Islands who want to go to
graduate school in preparation for a career in public
service. The award includes a $30,000 grant for graduate
study, as well as participation in leadership development
programs and special opportunities for internships and
employment with the federal government.
"The Truman competition seeks to identify college
juniors who will be change agents in public service after
graduation," said Dr. Marc Baer, who is the Truman
Scholarship faculty representative at Hope as well as a
professor of history. "Louis Canfield exemplifies this
ideal: his passion for problem solving has made a
difference in campus programs, student government and in the
well-being of his peers."
"From high school through now, Louis has been committed
to both doing well academically and doing good for society,"
Baer said.
Canfield is majoring in history and political
science, and intends to attend law school after Hope.
Consistently named to the Dean's List, he has also received
awards from Hope in history and political science.
He is president of the college's Student Congress,
and has participated in other Hope activities including
Model United Nations as a student leader, the pre-law club,
the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, and cheerleading. During
the college's spring break in March, he will be
participating in a mission trip service project in New York
City.
He is the son of Louis and Linda Canfield of
Whitehall, and is a 1997 graduate of Whitehall High School.
A total of seven students who are Michigan
residents are among the 191 finalists for awards in 2000.
In addition to Hope, the Michigan schools with finalists
include Alma College, Aquinas College, Michigan State
University and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.